“Positivity meant solving the problems. Solving them and letting them go. Or it meant not solving the problems but coexisting with them peacefully.”-Ann Patchett, “Whistler”
A few weeks ago, as John and I were going into the local hardware store for plumbing supplies (blech!), I spotted bags of tulips in the front and was tempted by a couple pretty two-toned ones. In famous last words, “I have plenty of tulips!” Then yesterday while weeding and putting weed-resistant granules on my new flowerbeds, I had an epiphany: Spring will be so much more colorful if I plant tulips in these areas too!” So, I’m off today to buy a collection of various colored tulips. In a bit of a dilemma, should I put them in rows, in clusters or in a random configuration? John votes clusters and I’ve eliminated rows; if some didn’t bloom, there would be holes and that would bug me. A lot.
I’ve needed positive therapy this week between worry about Younger Daughter (constant but sometimes more intense) and concern about Ian, who has been suffering from nummular eczema.

Poor little guy! My sister-in-law, a proudly ignorant anti-vax, anti-mask, natural remedies person (of obvious political proclivities), suggested beef tallow to my daughter. That sounds not just icky but ineffective. I won’t go into all the medical care and interventions her family has used in the past since that just makes me furious. I did have a decent chat with my brother and her at my niece J’s volleyball game; J. is a new student at a nearby Christian school and was delighted that I attended her game. She played very well and her team surprisingly won. (they were 1-11) She’s a libero, which I had to look up. (a back court player–mainly defensive in setting and passing) I was shocked at the scoring; the team used to only score if serving. I guess the rules have changed since I played volleyball in P.E. in 1972!

The fall colors are cheering me up, not to mention the blue sky and high 60s. It’s my kind of weather.

John also made me laugh with catnip spray which caused Mari to act even stranger than normal. 🙂

Obro’s eclectic outfit was delightful. He’s a quirky kid and so lovable. That sweet smile…

Beware of scams! I doubted this message was real because I couldn’t see any purpose in texting a temporary number, whatever that even is. Just in case though, I contacted both my daughters. I think OD was a little offended that I thought it might be her.

As someone who uses capitals, punctuation and even semi-colons in my texts, I obviously wouldn’t fit in with Generation Z. Should I have pointed out to OD, the Millennial, that she didn’t put a period at the end of her sentences? 😉
Now, onward to Tulip Town aka McLendon Hardware!
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